Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1973
| |||
Strongest magnitude | ![]() | ||
---|---|---|---|
Deadliest | ![]() | ||
Total fatalities | 2,899 | ||
Number by magnitude | |||
9.0+ | 0 | ||
8.0–8.9 | 0 | ||
7.0–7.9 | 9 | ||
6.0–6.9 | 57 | ||
5.0–5.9 | 1333 | ||
4.0–4.9 | 2557 | ||
This is a list of earthquakes in 1973. Only magnitude 6.0 or greater earthquakes appear on the list. Lower magnitude events are included if they have caused death, injury or damage. Events which occurred in remote areas will be excluded from the list as they wouldn't have generated significant media interest. All dates are listed according to UTC time. Maximum intensities are indicated on the Mercalli intensity scale and are sourced from United States Geological Survey (USGS) ShakeMap data. Both the number of large events and the death toll were substantially lower in 1973. There was 9 magnitude 7.0+ events. The largest of these was in Japan measuring 7.7. Russia and New Hebrides were active during the year with each country having 2 magnitude 7.0+ events. Nearly 3,000 deaths were reported with China being worst affected. Mexico also had a significant death toll.
Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2,199 | 7.4 | ![]() | X (Extreme) | 33.0 | February 6 |
2 | 600 | 7.1 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 84.0 | August 28 |
3 | 56 | 7.5 | ![]() | X (Extreme) | 43.0 | January 30 |
4 | 26 | 6.5 | ![]() | VI (Strong) | 33.0 | April 14 |
5 | 15 | 7.0 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 33.0 | March 17 |
Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 7.7 | 0 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 48.0 | June 17 |
2 | 7.5 | 56 | ![]() | X (Extreme) | 43.0 | January 30 |
2 | 7.5 | 0 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 26.0 | December 28 |
3 | 7.4 | 2,199 | ![]() | X (Extreme) | 33.0 | February 6 |
4 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 27.0 | February 28 |
4 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 47.0 | December 29 |
5 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 50.0 | June 24 |
6 | 7.0 | 15 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 33.0 | March 17 |
6 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 33.0 | October 6 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.5 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.5 Mw ![]() 56 deaths |
Total fatalities | 56 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 4 |
5.0–5.9 | 101 |
4.0–4.9 | 193 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
5 [1] [2] | ![]() | 6.2 | 150.0 | IV | |||
6 [3] [4] | ![]() | 6.1 | 36.0 | VI | |||
18 [5] [6] | ![]() | 6.8 | 43.0 | VI | |||
22 [7] | ![]() | 6.1 | 33.0 | ||||
30 [8] [9] [10] | ![]() | 7.5 | 43.0 | X | 56 people were killed and 390 were injured in the 1973 Colima earthquake. Some homes were destroyed. | 56 | 390 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.4 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.4 Mw ![]() 2,199 deaths |
Total fatalities | 2,199 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 2 |
5.0–5.9 | 96 |
4.0–4.9 | 204 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [11] | ![]() | 6.1 | 229.0 | ||||
6 [12] [13] [14] [15] | ![]() | 7.4 | 33.0 | X | Deadliest event of 1973. 2,199 people were killed and 2,743 were injured in the 1973 Luhuo earthquake. 168 homes were destroyed. | 2,199 | 2,743 |
21 [16] [17] [18] | ![]() | 5.1 | 38.0 | VI | Some damage was caused. | ||
21 [19] [20] [21] | ![]() | 5.3 | 10.0 | VII | The 1973 Point Mugu earthquake caused $1 million (1973 rate) in property damage. | ||
24 [22] [23] | ![]() | 5.2 | 27.0 | Major damage was caused. | |||
24 [24] | ![]() | 6.0 | 59.0 | ||||
28 [25] [26] [27] | ![]() | 7.2 | 27.0 | VIII | Some damage was caused. |
Strongest magnitude | 7.0 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.0 Mw ![]() 15 deaths |
Total fatalities | 15 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 4 |
5.0–5.9 | 105 |
4.0–4.9 | 208 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
4 [28] | ![]() | 6.1 | 32.0 | ||||
9 [29] [30] [31] | ![]() | 5.5 | 13.0 | VII | Property damage was caused with costs reaching $500,000 (1973 rate). | ||
12 [32] [33] | ![]() | 6.1 | 54.0 | V | Aftershock of February 28 event. | ||
17 [34] | ![]() | 6.0 | 194.0 | ||||
17 [35] [36] [37] | ![]() | 7.0 | 33.0 | VII | The 1973 Ragay Gulf earthquake killed 15 people and 64 others were injured. Damage costs were around $450,000 (1973 rate). | 15 | 64 |
18 [38] | ![]() | 6.5 | 33.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.6 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.5 Mw ![]() 26 deaths |
Total fatalities | 27 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 8 |
5.0–5.9 | 88 |
4.0–4.9 | 287 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [39] [40] [41] | ![]() | 5.9 | 31.0 | VII | Some damage was caused. | ||
3 [42] [43] | ![]() | 6.2 | 158.0 | IV | |||
7 [44] | ![]() | 6.6 | 33.0 | ||||
8 [45] [46] | ![]() | 6.4 | 35.0 | VI | |||
12 [47] | ![]() | 6.1 | 52.0 | Aftershock of February 28 event. | |||
14 [48] [49] [50] | ![]() | 6.5 | 33.0 | VI | 26 people were killed and 100 were injured. Damage costs were $200,000 (1973 rate). | 26 | 100 |
17 [51] [52] | ![]() | 6.4 | 33.0 | VI | |||
24 [53] [54] [55] | ![]() | 6.5 | 50.0 | IV | 1 person died and some damage was reported. | 1 | |
26 [56] [57] [58] | ![]() | 6.2 | 36.9 | VIII | 11 people were injured and some property damage was reported. Costs were $5.75 million (1973 rate). | 11 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.0 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 1 |
5.0–5.9 | 83 |
4.0–4.9 | 190 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
29 [59] [60] | ![]() | 6.0 | 30.0 | V | Although in a remote location this was the only magnitude 6.0+ event of the month. |
Strongest magnitude | 7.7 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 4 |
5.0–5.9 | 155 |
4.0–4.9 | 269 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
5 [61] [62] | ![]() | 6.1 | 24.0 | IV | |||
9 [63] [64] | ![]() | 6.3 | 70.0 | V | |||
17 [65] [66] [67] | ![]() | 7.7 | 48.0 | VIII | Largest event of 1973. 27 people were injured in the 1973 Nemuro earthquake. 2 homes were destroyed. Overall damage costs were $5 million (1973 rate). | 27 | |
17 [68] | ![]() | 6.0 | 50.0 | Aftershock. | |||
24 [69] [70] [71] | ![]() | 7.1 | 50.0 | VIII | 1 person was injured and some damage was reported. Aftershock of June 17 event. | 1 | |
26 [72] [73] | ![]() | 6.6 | 50.0 | VI | Aftershock. |
Strongest magnitude | 6.9 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 7 |
5.0–5.9 | 153 |
4.0–4.9 | 234 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [74] [75] | ![]() | 6.7 | 33.0 | VI | |||
3 [76] [77] | ![]() | 6.0 | 44.0 | V | Foreshock. | ||
3 [78] [79] | ![]() | 6.5 | 33.0 | VI | |||
5 [80] [81] | ![]() | 6.0 | 38.0 | IV | Aftershock. | ||
14 [82] [83] | ![]() | 6.9 | 33.0 | VII | |||
31 [84] [85] | ![]() | 6.3 | 33.0 | V | |||
31 [86] [87] | ![]() | 6.0 | 30.0 | VII |
Strongest magnitude | 6.8 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.8 Mw ![]() 600 deaths |
Total fatalities | 600 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 10 |
5.0–5.9 | 104 |
4.0–4.9 | 189 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [88] [89] | ![]() | 6.1 | 200.0 | IV | |||
5 [90] | ![]() | 6.1 | 33.0 | ||||
7 [91] [92] | ![]() | 6.1 | 25.0 | VI | Foreshock. | ||
7 [93] [94] | ![]() | 6.3 | 14.0 | VII | |||
9 [95] [96] | ![]() | 6.0 | 55.0 | V | |||
11 [97] [98] | ![]() | 6.1 | 33.0 | VII | |||
13 [99] [100] | ![]() | 6.0 | 112.0 | IV | |||
16 [101] [102] | ![]() | 6.4 | 33.0 | VI | |||
18 [103] [104] | ![]() | 6.1 | 14.0 | VI | |||
28 [105] [106] [107] | ![]() | 6.8 | 84.0 | VIII | The 1973 Veracruz earthquake caused 600 deaths as well as major damage. | 600 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.5 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 3 |
5.0–5.9 | 96 |
4.0–4.9 | 173 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
10 [108] [109] | ![]() | 6.0 | 532.0 | II | |||
20 [110] [111] | ![]() | 6.0 | 560.0 | I | |||
29 [112] [113] | ![]() | 6.5 | 575.0 | II |
Strongest magnitude | 7.0 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 5 |
5.0–5.9 | 99 |
4.0–4.9 | 232 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
5 [114] [115] | ![]() | 6.5 | 14.0 | VI | Foreshock. | ||
5 [116] [117] [118] | ![]() | 6.7 | 33.0 | VII | Some damage was caused. | ||
6 [119] | ![]() | 7.0 | 33.0 | ||||
9 [120] [121] | ![]() | 6.4 | 33.0 | VI | |||
18 [122] [123] | ![]() | 6.0 | 45.0 | V | |||
25 [124] | ![]() | 6.1 | 529.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.4 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 2 events caused 1 death each in Iran and Portugal |
Total fatalities | 2 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 6 |
5.0–5.9 | 128 |
4.0–4.9 | 188 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
4 [125] [126] [127] | ![]() | 5.8 | 8.0 | VIII | Some damage was reported. | ||
6 [128] [129] | ![]() | 6.4 | 34.0 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake | |||
6 [130] [131] | ![]() | 6.3 | 41.0 | IV | |||
8 [132] [133] | ![]() | 6.1 | 33.0 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake | |||
11 [134] | ![]() | 6.0 | 51.0 | ||||
11 [135] [136] [137] | ![]() | 5.5 | 11.0 | VII | 1 person was killed and major damage was reported. | 1 | |
19 [138] [139] | ![]() | 6.1 | 56.0 | VI | |||
23 [140] [141] [142] | ![]() | 5.1 | 5.0 | VIII | 1 person died and some damage was caused. | 1 | |
29 [143] [144] [145] | ![]() | 5.7 | 26.0 | VIII | Some damage was reported. | ||
30 [146] [147] | ![]() | 6.0 | 124.0 | IV |
Strongest magnitude | 7.5 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 4 |
5.0–5.9 | 125 |
4.0–4.9 | 190 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
9 [148] [149] | ![]() | 6.8 | 39.0 | VII | |||
9 [150] | ![]() | 6.3 | 34.0 | Aftershock. | |||
19 [151] [152] | ![]() | 6.0 | 58.0 | V | |||
28 [153] [154] [155] | ![]() | 7.5 | 26.0 | VIII | Some damage was caused. | ||
29 [156] [157] [158] | ![]() | 7.2 | 47.0 | VIII | Aftershock. Some damage was caused. | ||
30 [159] [160] | ![]() | 6.6 | 10.0 | VIII | Aftershock. |